Principal Development Engineer (Mechanical/Process)

Are you looking for an exciting job where you can put your skills and talents to work at a company you can feel proud to be a part of? Do you want a workplace that will challenge you and offer you opportunities to learn and grow?  A  position at Xcel Energy could be just what you’re looking for.

The Principal Development Engineer (Mechanical/Process) provides the Generation Planning and Development organization and individual project teams with technical guidance and engineering support to plan and develop new dispatchable generation projects and large-scale improvement projects at existing generation plants. Development work is largely focused on project origination and conceptual design leading to technology selection, cost estimates, schedules, preliminary layouts and heat & material balances, etc., to approximately the FEL-2 level of detail. The work also includes engagement with major equipment vendors and construction contractors, reviewing technical submittals, supporting permitting and regulatory activity, and advising senior leadership about fleet planning strategy. The role may support detailed design or construction activities but is focused on earlier pre-construction development work.

 

Specific duties include managing 3rd party engineering support contracts, preparing technical specifications, developing plant layouts, process flow diagrams, emissions estimates, plant performance estimates, sizing mechanical equipment, developing engineering standards, and similar tasks. Experience with utility-scale power technology such as steam cycles, combustion turbines, combined cycles, and/or reciprocating engines is required. Experience with low-carbon or emerging energy process technology like synthetic fuels, thermal energy storage, geothermal power, etc. is preferred. This is a principal-level role. Accordingly, the candidate is expected to work independently with minimal need for technical direction while working collaboratively to advise a diverse project team including project managers, environmental professionals, supply chain, fuels and transmission representatives, leadership, etc. The candidate is expected to mentor earlier-career engineers, but the role does not have direct reports. 

Position Summary

Viewed as the technical engineer or subject matter expert for the organization in the application of advanced theories, concepts, principles, and processes for an assigned area of responsibility (i.e. subject matter, function, type of facility, equipment or product).  Contributes to the development of new principles and concepts.  Problems must be approached through a series of complex and conceptually related studies, are difficult to define, require unconventional or innovative approaches, and require sophisticated research techniques.    Responsible for major project or several complex projects of moderate to large scope.  Serves as organization spokesperson on advanced projects and/or programs.  Acts as advisor to management and customers on advanced technical research studies and applications. Maintains contacts with individuals and units within and outside the corporation for action on technical matters.   Works under consultative direction toward broad general goals and objectives.  Assignments are often self-initiated.  Determine and pursue courses of action necessary to obtain desired results.  Work checked through consultation and agreement with others rather than by formal review of superior.  May provide work direction for a team of engineers, technicians and other professionals as necessary to complete assignments.  This includes evaluation of work progress and results/feedback to supervisors on performance.  May lead multiple critical and/or complex projects.

Essential Responsibilities

• Applies extensive technical expertise and has a higher-level understanding of the basic principles of other related disciplines.  Fully demonstrates the unique technical skills and core competencies for this engineering level by applying advanced technical principles, theories and concepts, and contributes to the development of new principles, concepts and technical standards.  Fully demonstrates unique technical skills.

• As a recognized internal technical SME, conceives plans and conducts research to develop procedures, codes and standards in problem areas of considerable scope and complexity and supports the development of technical documentation through a series of complex and conceptually related studies requiring unconventional or innovative approaches.

• Exercises authority and technical leadership on assignments that are often self-initiated and self-directed.  Assignments are strategic and have significant long-term implications to achievement of overall business objectives.

• May lead multiple critical and/or complex projects including research, design, equipment specification & selection, installation, start-up, commissioning and evaluation of work progress and results.

• Acts as advisor to management and customers on advanced technical research studies and applications.  Manages bid/evaluation processes which include the preparation of bid documents, completion of technical evaluations for proposals and the review and approval of recommendations for selection. 

• Serves as organization spokesperson on advanced projects and/or programs.  Is influential in all forms of communications with internal and external business.

• May provide oversight of engineers, interns, craft personnel, technicians and other professionals.  Forms mentoring relationships with less experienced engineers for the transfer of knowledge and continuous self-development of technical skills and competencies.  Demonstrates effective leadership skills.

• May provide overall coordination of processes related to budgeting, estimating, forecasting, accounting and work order management, in support of existing engineering projects or packaging proposals for future projects.

Principal Engineer (Salary Range: $109,300-$152,766)

Minimum Requirements

• Required bachelor’s degree in engineering from ABET accredited curriculum, preferred mechanical or chemical engineering degree preferred.

• 9+ years relevant engineering experience with PE (Professional Engineer) registration required; 15+ years relevant engineering experience without PE.

• Ability to demonstrate the unique technical skills and core competencies for this engineering level established & documented by the organization.

Preferred Experience

• PMP certification

• Experience in power project development including origination, technology selection, environmental permitting, performance calculations, contract support, etc.

• Experience with low-carbon or emerging energy process technology like synthetic fuels, carbon capture, nuclear energy, thermal energy storage, geothermal power, etc.

• Project management skills or history of leading multi-discipline project teams. 

As a leading combination electricity and natural gas energy company, Xcel Energy offers a comprehensive portfolio of energy-related products and services to 3.4 million electricity and 1.9 million natural gas customers across eight Western and Midwestern states. At Xcel Energy, we strive to be the preferred and trusted provider of the energy our customers need. If you’re ready to be a part of something big, we invite you to join our team.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Individuals with a disability who need an accommodation to apply please contact us at recruiting@xcelenergy.com.

Non-Bargaining

The anticipated starting base pay for this position is: $109,300.00 to $152,766.00 per year

This position is eligible for the following benefits: Annual Incentive Program, Medical/Pharmacy Plan, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Dependent Care Reimbursement Account, Health Care Reimbursement Account, Health Savings Account (HSA) (if enrolled in eligible health plan), Limited-Purpose FSA (if enrolled in eligible health plan and HSA), Transportation Reimbursement Account, Short-term disability (STD), Long-term disability (LTD), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Fitness Center Reimbursement (if enrolled in eligible health plan), Tuition reimbursement, Transit programs, Employee recognition program, Pension, 401(k) plan, Paid time off (PTO), Holidays, Volunteer Paid Time Off (VPTO), Parental Leave

Benefit plans are subject to change and Xcel Energy has the right to end, suspend, or amend any of its plans, at any time, in whole or in part.

In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information including but not limited to dates of school attendance and graduation.  You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

Deadline to Apply: 02/22/26

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